Albania and North Macedonia: the next EU members?

The The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament wants the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council to start accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia in light of the war in Ukraine. In two reports adopted by the plenary on Thursday, A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been elected to serve as a representative in the European Parliament. MEPs acknowledge the progress both countries have made on the way toward EU membership. 

They urge the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council to formally start accession negotiations, since both Albania and North Macedonia have fulfilled the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council’s requirements for this step. Although the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council already concluded in March 2020 that talks accession talks should start with both countries, nothing to that end has happened so far.

Albania

European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council President Charles Michel responded to the demand regarding Albania on Friday in a press conference with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama:

“It’s more important than ever to re-energise the enlargement process. […] Albania has met all the conditions for opening accession negotiations and accession talks should start as soon as possible.”

Michel also pointed to a European An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council meeting coming up in June, in which the 27 EU leaders will also get together with Western Balkan leaders to further discuss the partnerships.

Explaining why Albania should become part of the bloc as soon as possible, Isabel Santos (S&D), the The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament’s An MEP tasked with drafting a report on a proposed piece of legislation based on committee exchanges and expert consultations . The European Parliament then votes on the report which may include amendments to the legislative proposal. rapporteur for Albania, said:

“Albania remains a fully reliable and committed strategic partner. It continues to move forward with fundamental EU-related reforms and is fulfilling and maintaining conditions for starting accession talks. It is only fair that the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council finally agrees to open long-overdue negotiations with Albania, not least in the face of mounting geostrategic challenges.”

North Macedonia

Similar to Albania, North Macedonia has made immense progress in its democratic transition, according to A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been elected to serve as a representative in the European Parliament. MEPs. They note that the country continues to strengthen the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of minorities, is reforming its public administration and consolidating media freedom, while at the same time working against corruption and organized crime.

Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew Europe), An MEP tasked with drafting a report on a proposed piece of legislation based on committee exchanges and expert consultations . The European Parliament then votes on the report which may include amendments to the legislative proposal. rapporteur for North Macedonia, demanded progress in the accession process to follow from this positive development:

 “North Macedonia demonstrated the best democratic transition record across the Western Balkan region and is fully aligned with the EU’s foreign policy in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Considering the broader geostrategic context and that the country has delivered sustained results, we call for long overdue accession negotiations to officially start.”

Despite this positive news, Albania and North Macedonia will most likely not be EU members soon. The accession process, which starts with the formal accession negotiations in question, is only one step in the long road towards membership which will include further reforms to adapt to EU law. 

Some other candidates

An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council President Michel stated his intention to speed up integration, also with the long-standing candidate Serbia, on a visit to the Western Balkans on Thursday.

Next to Albania and North Macedonia, the war in Ukraine has also brought Moldova closer to EU membership. In a speech to the The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament on Wednesday, 18 May, President Maia Sandu reiterated her country’s wish to belong to the EU community. Moldova formally applied for EU membership in March 2022.

Ukraine submitted its application in March, as well, and – given the extraordinary circumstances – has been hoping for a speedy accession process. However, on Thursday, the German and French leaders blocked Ukraine’s accession, with German chancellor Scholz stating that “there are no shortcuts on the way to the EU”.